Novartis will close a German production site by the end of 2028, cutting around 220 jobs.
The tablets and capsules production site in Wehr, Germany, which manufactures predominantly established products from the Novartis portfolio, will close because it is no longer competitive, according to the Swiss drugmaker.
Novartis says it "remains firmly committed to Germany as a business location." As part of a long-term commitment, Novartis will focus on the further development of innovative manufacturing technologies in Germany. As already announced in 2025, Novartis is investing €35 million ($40.9 million) in a new production facility for radioligand therapies in Halle (Saxony-Anhalt). The planned site will produce innovative, personalized cancer therapies for patients in Germany and is scheduled to begin operations in 2027.
According to Reuters, the planned site closure is not related to Novartis’ planned $23 billion expansion of its U.S. manufacturing and R&D footprint, unveiled in April 2025. The commitment includes building seven new U.S. facilities, creating nearly 1,000 new jobs at Novartis. The production capacity will cover both APIs and biologics drug substance, as well as secondary production and packaging.